rajiv nair

Conceived in the Design Thinking course at Harvard Innovation Lab, Charcha Media aims to revolutionize the local media and community engagement space. Launched a pilot program "Rashmi" in the tribal area of Attappady in South India. The program was aired in the local cable channel.

Supported the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) team at UN OHRLLS in preparation for the 'Third International Conference on the Small Island Developing States' at Samoa. Prepared a report on how the SAMOA outcome (SIDS strategy document formulated for the Samoa Conference) compares to the SIDS strategy (Mauritius Strategy) developed in 2005. Presented findings to the Under-Secretary-General/High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS. Presented a paper on “Factors impacting innovation policies: Case studies of Solar PV in India and China” to the Chief of Policy at UN DESA. Contribution acknowledged in UN’s 2016 Global Sustainable Development Report

On a voluntary project, worked with the Performance Management Division at the Prime Minister's Office as a part of the Ad-hoc Task Force to review Performance Agreements called Result Framework Documents (RFDs) of Ministries / Departments in the Social Welfare syndicate

For the Harvard Law and International Development Society (LIDS), Co-led a team of nine to support Qorax Energy, a social impact firm financially supported by the World Bank, develop its business and governance strategy so as to introduce solar technologies in Somaliland (an autonomous region of Somalia)

91springboard is a start-up growth hub which is committed to making an entrepreneur's start-up journey easier and more fun through the provision of co-working space, a community environment and seed capital

Led / supported 20+ high-profile consulting assignments to advice both governments and large private corporations on strategy and development. Focus areas include economic development & policy, investment strategies, innovation strategies, growth strategies, and organization redesign. Was a key member in several award-winning projects listed below

* Lead Nathan's strategy, projects and business development in the Technology and Innovation (ICT4D) area for international development projects. * Product Lead for M-Access * Led ideation, human-centred design, and agile project management of award-winning agri-tech solution (trended #4 in Google's Playstore globally) * funded by DFID * Product Lead for Digital Identity Toolkit: Led strategy, design, and development of a tool that helps government officials in 120+ countries calculate the benefits of incrementally investing in their digital identity system * funded by Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) * Lead Author for Blockchain Report: For USAID, analysis of blockchain solutions in the areas of traceability, trade finance, supply chain, and customs integration * Co-author for 3D Printing Report: For the World Bank, evaluated the impact of additive manufacturing (3D Printing) on trade. Created a conceptual framework to assess future trends in 3D printing (report cited by World Bank, IFC, WTO, OECD)

Activities and Societies: General Secretary, Student's Council 2004-05: Headed a 17 member council which represented 2400 students. Organized the annual cultural festival Symphony. Conceived and organized an intra-collegiate tournament House Cup

Activities and Societies: Coordinator, Media Cell for the Annual Cultural Festival Chaos Interacted with newspapers, TV channels and Radios for effective coverage of the festival

Fields of Study: Development Economics and International Political Economy